http://www.texasheroes.net/stillwell.html
As I read through this short story I found Hallie Crawford Stillwell to be a very admirable person/character. She is not afraid to take chances in her life. She moved to Presidio, Texas which, at the time Stillwell was there, was a very dangerous place to go. But she went anyway to teach children. She loved her kids and teaching them.
Hallie Crawford Stillwell was not afraid to take charge of her own life. Like I stated above, she moved to one the more dangerous cities in Texas to teach children who had taken refuge in Presidio with their families from Mexico. Not only were they not the "safe white kids" they did not have the same common language in common. Hallie Crawford Stillwell took a leap of faith, even after her father asked her not to, and did something wild and something that she was passionate about.
I found the story of "The Bride" very enjoyable to read. Part of the reason I enjoyed it was because I knew the area she was talking about. Being from Texas it is great to be reading stories by Texas authors about areas of Texas. I could picture West Texas and the Big Bend area as I was reading the story.
http://gardenhoseadaptor.com/big-bend-national-park
I love how she has an answer for every inappropriate or crass question and comment the three cowboys have for her as she moves to her new home with Roy Stillwell. When Lee mentions that he thinks Hallie will spend most of her time in town, because of the thought that the ranch was "no place for a woman," Hallie responds with "No, I expect to live here with Roy, or I wouldn't have married him." Although she does not really enjoy having to put up with the three cowboys she is not going to let them push her around.
I love that Hallie Crawford Stillwell takes risks. I envy her because she is not afraid to live her life and take those risks even if they are scary or dangerous. I dream of conquering my fears of risk and change and being able to live the life I am truly meant to live. Hallie lived her life. She was 99 years old when she died and she lived a full life. Even marring a man that her parents were not found of but, making him apart of her family anyway. She has courage and stamina. When she was living in Presidio she had a few scary encounters but she did not leave because she loved what she did and where she lived. She completely picked up her life and created a new one. That takes a whole lot of courage and I wish I had that much courage to do that. I feel like my life would have more purpose and meaning if I actually did what I loved instead of stayed where I am because it is comfortable and safe. I have a job, a roof over my head, and a safe place to lay my head. But I could pack up my stuff, move to LA, live out of my car, learn to produce music, try to find an artist or band to give me a chance to produce their album, and work my way up in the music business. But I could never do that because I love my bed to much and my comfortable lifestyle. I'm going to try and by more like Hallie Crawford Stillweel and follow my dreams where ever they may take me.
Work Cited:
http://www.nytimes.com/1997/08/24/us/hallie-c-stillwell-a-rancher-and-texas-legend-dies-at-99.html
http://gardenhoseadaptor.com/big-bend-national-park
http://www.lib.utexas.edu/geo/fieldguides/bigbendgeology.html
http://www.texasheroes.net/stillwell.html
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